I’m writing this letter to thank the various shop personnel and bystanders on Main Street, who on September 20 came to my aid.

I moved to Milton a year-and-a-half ago without knowing much about the town. Little did I know I would be moving to one of the most courteous and pleasant places in Ontario — and I’ve moved around a lot in the last 40 years.

My story begins when I picked up my sister, who lives in Mississauga, to bring her to my home for the weekend. On our way to my place, we stopped off at the farmers’ market.

Before I go much further, I should tell you that my sister is 69 years old and is experiencing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

I stopped at a flower stand while Pat wandered over to another stand, close enough that I could keep my eye on her. That is, until I was served and had to reach into my purse for some change. When I looked up, she was gone.

To make a long story short, I walked up and down Main Street and inquired in many stores if anyone had seen her. Thinking she would show up at any time, I went back to the flower stand and stayed put, hoping she would show up. I sat for more than an hour and there was no sign of her. I was panicking all the while and thinking I didn’t want to call the police and embarrass her if she was just walking through the market.

Eventually I couldn’t stand the fear that was rising in me so I went into the Halton Beauty Supply and Hair Studio to ask to use the phone to call 911. I was asked by shop personnel what was wrong, and from there the following chain of events took on a life of their own.

They’re as follows:

• Two officers came immediately and took down a lot of information about Pat, and toured all around Milton’s back streets.

• Chantal and Audrey from the Halton Beauty Supply and Hair Studio walked every inch of the market and informed all the shopkeepers to look out for Pat.

• A lady who was getting her hair done came out with her hair partially done, with her plastic cape on, to say she saw a woman who looked a little in distress walking up Regional Road 25.

• Sgt. John Mans drove up, along with two other officers, and took down more information, at which time we advised him about what the lady had just told us. The officers then got in their cars to go back up Regional Road 25.

• An ‘angel’ (failed to get her name) from Mike’s Barber Shop came out to see what was happening. She immediately left her post, called her daughter (who I also wish to thank) to come get her.

• While the ‘angel’ was waiting to be picked up, a customer (who I later found out was Ernie Blair) came out of the barber shop and asked her what was happening. He left shortly after hearing this and stated he hoped we found her.

• Right after he left, the ‘angel’ was picked up and advised her daughter to drive north up Regional Road 25 to see if my sister had gone up there after all.

• Not five minutes later, Mr. Blair came back with my sister in his truck. Without saying a word to us, he went out and found her.

Despite not having any money with her, Pat apparently had gone into Tim Hortons near Hwy. 401 above Steeles Avenue to sit down, and after a rest continued north. In the end, Pat was gone for about three hours.

Without the strong support and kindness of these people, I cringe to think what could have been, as my sister was clearly disoriented. It’s inconceivable to think what all these people did to help a stranger.

We hear so much nowadays about people not caring for one another, but here’s proof that we are only hearing the bad side — that in reality there are people who care and are truly kind and go out of their way to help others.

No one will ever know the depth of my appreciation to the wonderful people who were so kind. To those people — including Chantal and Audrey, the lady in the cape, the ‘angel’, Sgt. Mans and the two other officers and dear Mr. Blair — I offer my heartfelt thanks and gratitude.

KAREN MACSPURREN, MILTON